AUSTRALIA

People Music Performance

Australians shine in Scotland

Australian pipe bands are congratulated on their performances at major international events over the past month including the World Championships in Glasgow and a sell-out season of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Pipe Bands Australia is proud of the achievements of our bands and members for their commitment in a musical journey shared with friends from around the world in both competition and performance.

Pipers, drummers and drum majors made a significant investment of their time and money to participate in the international celebrations – it is conservatively estimated that the combined cost of participation was more than $3.5 million with the benefit to the Australian and Scottish economies more than $10 million.

Highlights of the “Australian invasion of Scotland” in 2018 have included:

Perth Metro winning its qualifier at the World Championships and finishing third in Grade 3A

Brisbane Boys’ College and The Scots College Sydney finishing in the top five in Juvenile Novice A at the World Championships

Moorabbin pipe major Ian Lyons again a member of the victorious World Champion band Field Marshal Montgomery

Rats of Tobruk drum major Kathleen Matthies participating in her 10th Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, this year with the Pipers Trail

Australians playing in the Sons of Scotland Pipe Band at Balmoral Castle for Her Majesty the Queen

Australian bands at the World Championships were Perth Metro No 1 and No 2, Brisbane Boys’ College No 1 and No 2, The Scots College Sydney and Murrumba.

Among the judges at the Worlds were Australia’s Principal Ensemble Nat Russell OAM and Sam Young.

The tattoo bands making up the largest Australian contingent since 1975 were Brisbane Boys’ College (two files), Many Warringah, Royal Victoria Regiment Association and Scotch College Perth with 11 of the 50 members of the Pipers Trail also from Australia.

PBA president Chris Earl said: “Australia has once again made a significant contribution to the world-wide pipe band family and we are very proud of the results and performances of our bands and players at the highest levels.

“We also had many players competing and performing throughout August with bands from Scotland and New Zealand, further increasing the Australian presence and participation.

“All have been outstanding ambassadors for Australia and our pipe band movement, building further success and vibrancy both here and overseas for our bands and players.”